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[whatam_i]

What demands an answer, but asks no question?
....
A telephone.
And I'm not here to answer mine so please leave a message at the sound of the beep.

Comments

[hobblepot]

[As much as he values his hard-won independence, some help would speed things along.]

You know what? Sure – why not? [He pauses to stifle a yawn behind his hand before sluggishly scooching over to the edge of the bed.] That way I might actually have some energy to spare after dinner.

[whatam_i]

Good idea.

[He says and gets up off the bed to head towards Oswald's large walk in closet.]

You can sit there and tell me which pieces you'd like me to pull. What colors were you thinking?

[hobblepot]

[The doors open to Ed, both sides of the closet neatly lined with shoes, coats, robes and formal wear, with room to spare. More pressed suits and waistcoats and starched collars that he could have ever dreamed of owning what only feels like a few short years ago, sometimes, when he was still living on Moroni and Falcone’s dime. Overhead, a tactical shotgun and a few smaller, no less familiar weapons lay across a rack.]

I think I am in the mood for some violet and gold today.

[Opposite his purplest suits, with tails and without, are his father’s things. Some in boxes and the rest still on hangers, as if nothing changed at all.]

[whatam_i]

Violet and gold, good choice.

[Ed says with a nod and starts running his fingers along the suits, finding the best choices within that color palette. He loves it when Oswald wears purple, it makes him look regal and brings out his pale eyes.]

Do you feel like a patterned vest or something more plain?

[hobblepot]

[Oswald cants his head, wearing his first cheeky half-smile in too long.] Did you have a preference?

[whatam_i]

[A tingle goes down Ed's spine when he sees that cheeky smile and he can't help but respond to it, a wide grin surfacing.]

I'd like to see you in patterned. Something fancy.

We're celebrating after all.

[hobblepot]

I cannot argue with that. [He gestures to the open closet over Ed's shoulder as if to say, go on.]

[whatam_i]

[Ed grins, his fingers fluttering excitedly, and goes into the closet to pull out two vests. Sweeping them out dramatically to hold up and show Oswald.]

Which one do you like better?
Option one?
Or Option two?

see his vest, see his vest, made from real gorilla chest

[hobblepot]

It's a close call. But I will have to go with the first one.

Bwhaha XD

[whatam_i]

First one it is then!

[He says and hangs it up on the doorknob.]

Okay, dress shirt next. White or black?

[hobblepot]

Black. What's next?

[whatam_i]

Very sexy.
Next up is the jacket. Tails or no?

[hobblepot]

I find that tails add a certain touch of class, don't you?

[whatam_i]

On you, absolutely.
I don't think they look very good on me but you pull them off splendidly!

Which color?

[hobblepot]

A fine charcoal grey will do. Look for the one with the peaked lapels.

[He watches Ed finger through his suits a moment, scoffing softly.]

Do you honestly expect me to believe that you wouldn't fall head over heels for a sleek emerald-green tailcoat with black accents? [He asks, with raised eyebrows and a pointed head-tilt.]

perfect icon choice <3

[whatam_i]

[Ed's fingers patter along the line of jackets, finding the one Oswald wants and he pulls it out and then turns to grin at Oswald.]

I stand corrected.
Perhaps I shall have to order one someday soon, do you know of any good tailors I can put the order in with?

[He teases as he comes over to Oswald, leaning down to give him a smooch.]

One who knows my measurements already, perhaps?

why thank ye

[hobblepot]

[That conspiratorial smile of his flourishes under Ed’s kiss.]

I am sure I will think of someone.

[He answers, giving Ed a thoughtful once over and taking mental measurements all over again.]

[whatam_i]

[He catches the once over that Oswald gives him and is inwardly pleased, it's so good to see Oswald act like his regular self again.]

Okay, I assume you'll want the matching trousers so that means we are on to accessories!

Tie or cufflinks first?

[hobblepot]

Let's start with the latter.

[His collection of cufflinks - kept in a padded box - consists of a mix of gemstones cut into typical geometrical forms, as well as a slew of gold, silver and stainless steel designs that reflect his more unconventional tastes: skulls and birds, blades and bullets.]

[whatam_i]

[Ed retrieves the box and comes to sit down on the bed next to Oswald, opening it up so he can look inside. No doubt he knows his collection but it's always good to see things next to the outfit as to best judge what would look the nicest.]

What do you think? Jewels perhaps?

[hobblepot]

[With a boyish giggle:] I am just spoiled for choice! [Oswald sifts through his shiny treasure trove a while before picking out a green pair.]

Allow my wearing these to serve as a small token of appreciation for you and all that you have done for me.

[He turns them gently in his fingers, admiring the play of light.]

They do match my eyes. [He adds, with a sharp little uptick to his grin.]

[whatam_i]

[Ed watches the way Oswald looks over his little box of treasures, his beautiful bird does so love his shiny things.]

That's very sweet.

[He carefully takes one from Oswald's hand and holds it up near his eye, as if inspecting the color similarities.]

They really do. [His voice is soft and he leans in closer.] You really have the most beautiful eyes, Oswald.

[Closer still until he can move in to steal a kiss.]

[hobblepot]

[Ed knows how to soften him up - and after weeks spent starved of Ed's touch, forgetting what life was like before pain consumed his senses, Oswald yields needily, gratefully, to his kiss. Humming his pleasure behind Ed's lips. His hand comes up to cradle Ed's cheek.]

...only for you, friend.

[whatam_i]

[Ed is just as starved for affection as Oswald is and the moment their lips meet he is practically swooning, a wave of desire washing over him and once the kiss ends he moves forward for another. His hand placing the cufflink back into the box before moving to rest on the back of Oswald's neck, his long, slender fingers playing in the hair that has grown longer back there.]

[hobblepot]

[Everything falls away around them when their lips touch. As they re-learn the shape and feel and taste of each other, every kiss both a triumphant celebration of life and an act of defiance against everything that would tear them apart. Dressing can wait.]

I missed you. [He pants against Ed’s mouth. His next breath catches – not because any of this hurts but because it doesn’t. Because his skin aches to know the kindness of Ed's touch all over again.

Taking Ed’s hand, he lays it gently over his heart.

It goes without saying that this, too, will always be Ed’s.]